As reported in The Guardian, a new book, ‘The Official Photo Book,’ published to mark 40 years since ABBA won Eurovision with Waterloo, the band’s style may have been influenced by Swedish tax laws that allowed the cost of outfits to be a tax deduction, just as much as the pop culture fashion style of the late 1970′s and early 1980′s. The Swedish tax law stated that the cost of outfits could be deducted, so long as the costumes were so outrageous they could not possibly be worn on the street. Hmm, I don’t know, their outfits would have to be really over the line as people wore some pretty outrageous clothing in the 70′s. Although, I believe if anyone was caught wearing these outfits that ABBA is wearing in this rendition of Waterloo (VIDEO)in the street, they have have been strapped in a white coat.

The glittering hotpants, sequined jumpsuits and platform heels that Abba wore at the peak of their fame were designed not just for the four band members to stand out – but also for tax efficiency, according to claims over the weekend.

Reflecting on the group’s sartorial record in a new book, Björn Ulvaeus said: “In my honest opinion we looked like nuts in those years. Nobody can have been as badly dressed on stage as we were.”

And the reason for their bold fashion choices lay not just in the pop glamour of the late 70s and early 80s, but also in the Swedish tax code.

What, you mean no one was wearing clothes like this in the late 70′s?

The Daily Mail: Abba admit they only wore those ridiculous outfits to avoid tax!

He said: ‘Nobody can have been as badly dressed on stage as we were. In my honest opinion we looked like nuts in those years.